One mink whale fished for the first time in 33 years off Abashiri, Hokkaido 4:17 on August 17
Following the resumption of commercial whaling last July, a minke whale was fished off Abashiri, Hokkaido for the first time in 33 years, and one was landed.
Off the coast of Abashiri, fishing was not conducted last year when commercial whaling was resumed in Japan, and this is the first commercial whaling in 33 years.
Two small boats that left Hachinohe Port, Aomori Prefecture last week, such as Taiji Town, Wakayama Prefecture, fished off Abashiri and arrived at Abashiri Port on the evening of the 16th.
The captive minke whale is a medium-sized male with a length of 6.5 meters and a weight of 2.5 tons.
In the case of commercial whaling, the country has set a catch limit so as not to affect the whale resource, and plans to catch a maximum of 33 by targeting 18 by the end of next month off Abashiri.
The captured minke whales will be auctioned on the market in Abashiri City on the 17th, and will be shipped to various parts of Hokkaido.
Mr. Katoyo Metani, a coordinator of Taiji Town Fisheries Cooperative, said, "I'm looking forward to whales because Abashiri is a good fishing ground. The problem is that the price is low due to the influence of corona and I am worried whether it will be profitable." It was.